Decision details
National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief 2017/18 - Supporting Business in Wirral
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: For Determination
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decisions:
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Councillor Janette Williamson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation, said:
“A priority in the Wirral Plan is that we are a place where employers want to invest and businesses are able to thrive. Encouraging small businesses to develop and grow is at the heart of this and as business rates represent a significant cost to them, we are keen to ensure small businesses in particular can access rate relief.
The Council already operates a discretionary rate relief policy, which was approved for 2017/18. With the detail behind the government’s proposals for three other schemes now announced, the Council’s policy is being amended in order to provide support for more than 600 businesses and 100 public houses in Wirral this year.
This is a real demonstration that Wirral is a welcoming and supportive place to do business, with a local authority that aims to give them the best possible chance to succeed”. |
Councillor Janette Williamson introduced a report by the Revenues Senior Manager which informed that the impact of the 2017 Business Rates Revaluation had been intended to be fiscally neutral. However, the Revaluation resulted in significant variations for some businesses. In recognition of this impact, the Government, in the Spring Budget 2017 had announced the availability of additional funding for businesses affected by the increase. Since then further details had been announced by the Government on the implementation of the proposals.
The report sought approval of additions to the Council’s National Non Domestic Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Policy effective from 1 April 2017 which was appended. The changes related to the Government’s announcements in respect of Supporting Small Businesses, the Discretionary Fund and Support for Public Houses. With the detail behind the initial Government announcement now available, the Policy was recommended for amendment to enable the financial benefits to be given to businesses.
Councillor Williamson reported that the Council had made the process to be followed as simple as possible for all of those who qualified for this discretionary relief and was updating its computer software as quickly as possible in respect of this.
Councillor P Davies informed the Cabinet that he considered that this was a positive report that was picking up the pieces of the Government’s re-evaluation exercise. He was pleased that the Council was able to help over 600 small business and 100 public houses this year. The additional funding provided by the Government was welcomed and it was noted that this may be the difference between some businesses’ surviving rather than going under.
This was a Key Decision and affected all wards within the Borough.
RESOLVED: That
(1) the National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief Policy be amended to incorporate the changes in respect of Supporting Small Businesses, the Discretionary Fund and Support for Public Houses; and
(2) the National Non-Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief Policy as detailed in the Appendix to the report be approved for 2017/18.
Publication date: 06/09/2017
Date of decision: 04/09/2017
Decided at meeting: 04/09/2017 - Cabinet
Effective from: 14/09/2017
Accompanying Documents:
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